The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard SB 66, adoption subsidies, authored by Sen. Niezgodski. He introduced the legislation, explaining monthly payments for adoption subsidies may be less than foster parent monthly payment. The CANS score determines the foster care per diem. This bill would require DCS to offer at least 50% of the foster care per diem as the starting point for the adoption subsidy. Sen. Niezgodski explained the adoption subsidy is for special needs children who need psychiatric assistance, physician care, residential treatment, and other care. The bill also prohibits DCS, a licensed child placing agency, or a court from considering the following when determining the suitability of a prospective adoptive parent: (1) the eligibility of the prospective adoptive parent to receive adoption assistance payments or an adoption subsidy, or; (2) the amount of the adoption assistance payments or adoption subsidy for which the prospective adoptive parent qualifies.
Grant Kirsh, an adoption attorney, spoke in favor of this legislation, as did a representative from Indiana Foster and Adoptive Parents Advocacy Group. The bill passed with a vote of 8-0.
Read the bill at: Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2021/bills/senate/66